Clean Memphis would like to extend a huge thank you to all of our sponsors, participants, and everyone who could attend. The Circular Mid-South Summit was a landmark event designed to bring together businesses, community leaders, and innovators to facilitate actionable pathways for a circular economy that drives economic opportunity, innovation, and equity in Memphis and the Mid-South. This summit provided a platform for education, collaboration, and action, fostering a sustainable future for our region. We would love to have you join us and get involved in future efforts to develop a more circular economy in the Mid-South. Click the button below to find ways to stay involved, keep in touch, and/or offer some feedback on the 2025 summit.

Food waste is both an environmental challenge and an untapped resource. This session explores innovative approaches to rescuing surplus food, expanding recovery infrastructure, and designing circular systems that reduce waste while strengthening local food security. Learn how businesses, nonprofits, and policymakers are collaborating to divert edible food to people, transform organics into valuable resources, and build a more resilient regional food system.

Facilitator:
Kristen Privette – Public Education and Outreach Coordinator, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation – Presentation

Participants:
Leann Edwards – Director, Project Green Fork – Presentation
Mike Larrivee – Director of Regenerative Initiatives, The Works, Inc. & Co-Owner, The Compost Fairy, LLC  – Presentation
Alexander Marshall – Operational Excellence Manager, JM Smucker – Presentation
George Brown – Head of Communications & Public Affairs, The Kroger Co. – Presentation

Data to Action: Insights from the Memphis Waste Study & Regional Solid Waste Plan

Grounded in local data, this session will highlight key findings from the Memphis-Shelby County Waste Characterization Study and the Regional Solid Waste Plan, presented by HDR and the Memphis and Shelby County Office of Sustainability and Resilience. Participants will gain a clear picture of priority waste streams,
recommended strategies, and actionable opportunities to reduce waste, recover resources, and guide the region toward a more circular future.

Participants:
Kim Cherry – CEO, Cherry & Co. Public Relations
Philip Davis – Solid Waste Director, City of Memphis Solid Waste Division
Leigh Huffman Moyer – Administrator, Office of Sustainability and Resilience,Memphis & Shelby County Division of Planning & Development

Presentation

Rebuilding with Purpose: Unlocking Value in Construction & Demolition Recycling

Construction and demolition waste accounts for one of the largest and fastest growing waste streams in our region. This session explores how reclaiming, reusing, and recycling building materials can reduce landfill impact, cut costs, and fuel new market opportunities. Learn from innovators and industry leaders who are turning debris into resources, advancing sustainable building practices, and laying the
foundation for a more circular Mid-South economy.

Lincoln Young – President, Rockwood Recycling – Presentation

Recycling in the Mid-South: Building the Infrastructure for What’s Next

This session will take a close look at the current state of recycling infrastructure in the Mid-South – what’s working, where the gaps are, and the opportunities ahead. Industry leaders and policymakers will share insights on strengthening collection systems, expanding processing capacity, and developing end markets to ensure that more materials are recovered and put back into productive use.

Facilitator:
Bridget Croke – Managing Director & Strategic Partnerships Co-Head, Closed Loop Partners – Presentation

Participants:
Madeleine Edwards – Founder, Get Green Recycling
Andy Kizee – Business Hub Director, Binghampton Development Corporation – Presentation
Lewis Newman – Director of Sales, HD Pallet Company – Presentation
Jason West – General Manager, Republic Services – Presentation

Extending the Life of Electronics: Reuse, Remanufacturing & Refurbishment

The electronics sector is at the forefront of circular innovation, with growing opportunities to extend product life and reduce e-waste. This session will explore how companies like Brother and ER2 are leading the way in reuse, remanufacturing, and refurbishment—strategies that keep valuable materials in circulation, reduce environmental impact, and create economic opportunity. Participants will learn
about scalable models, industry partnerships, and the role of technology in building more sustainable and resilient electronics supply chains.

Participants:
Vickie Berry – Senior Manager, Sustainability & Environmental Management, Brother International – Presentation
Rocky Jackson – Vice President of Partner Solutions, Electronic Responsible Recyclers (ER2) – Presentation

Strengthening Regional Supply Chains Through Circular Innovation

Hosted by the Pyxera Global’s Circular Supply Chain Coalition, this session will explore how circular practices can transform supply chains in the Southeast. Attendees will hear an overview of the Coalition and its accelerator, gain insights from a local case study, and join a panel discussion featuring voices from logistics, repair and remanufacturing, and private sector leaders. The conversation will highlight models such as hub-and-spoke systems, opportunities to secure domestic feedstock, and the role of collaboration in building resilient, circular supply chains.

Participants:
Rob Coleman – Senior Director of Partnerships, Office of Research Innovation, and Economic Development, University of Tennessee, Knoxville; Executive Director, GAME Change Alliance, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Anita Schwartz – Strategic Advisor, Pyxera Global
Brandon Tidwell – Principal, FedEx Global Citizenship

Presentation